Since The Vancouver Sun spoke with her about grand marshaling the Vancouver Pride Parade and hobnobbing with the mayor in August, Talackova, 24, has been busy — and not just with boys.

Over the past four months she’s lit up a star-speckled gala in Toronto, spoken out against outmoded definitions of transsexualism, addressed first nations and women’s groups in B.C. and whipped up interest in her upcoming reality television show, to be shot in cities across the globe.

“I’m happy,” she says. “I’m still finding myself, of course ... .”

That process of “finding herself” includes ongoing piano lessons, vocal lessons, dance lessons and public speaking lessons. She practices the first two disciplines daily, with lessons twice weekly for the first three.

She’s wanted to study music since childhood. “I don’t know, I was just too A-D-D then,” she says.

Talackova showcased her revamped public persona — and her leggy form — at the Brazilian Carnival Ball in September in Toronto. She was one of the fundraising gala’s special guests.

“Everybody’s wearing nothing, it’s incredible,” she says.

It was that week in Toronto that Talackova’s pal Miss Universe Canada 2010 Elena Semikina helped convince her to pledge her name to an online petition urging the World Health Organization to change its classification of transsexualism as a mental disorder.

Talackova, who launched onto the international stage earlier this year when she successfully fought Donald Trump’s decision to boot her out of the Miss Universe Canada pageant for not being a “naturally born female,” hopes now to persuade WHO by collecting 35,000 online signatures.

“I’m not sick,” she says in the promo video for the WHO campaign. “I’m fantastic.”

When Trump not only re-entered her but changed the Miss Universe Organization rules to allow all transgender women to compete in its worldwide competition, Talackova became an icon for the transgender community.

She’s received invitations to tour colleges in the U.S. and speak at Ivy League schools like the University of Pennsylvania. Recently, Talackova talked with first nations women in the Downtown Eastside about issues of identity and self-respect. Talackova, born with the given name Walter, has roots in the Lake Babine Nation near Burns Lake, and had sex-reassignment surgery at the age of 19.

Next on Talackova’s agenda is, perhaps inevitably, her own reality television show.

“It’s just going to be an in-depth look at how my life is. People are very interested in me,” she says, head cocked.

Still in the negotiating phase with several networks, the show will likely follow her to Rio de Janeiro in April for a post-Carnival parade, where she’ll have her own float; to Los Angeles in May for the Miss Globe International pageant, where she’ll be a judge; and to South Korea sometime earlier, where Talackova hopes to meet Harisu, a transgender Korean pop superstar and her childhood idol.

“I’m so in love with Korean culture and their music. You know, Gangnam Style,” she says. “I want to set an example on my show. But obviously you have to be somewhat of a Snooki as well.”

A three-day party in Las Vegas is also slated for shooting, with Talackova in the eye of the storm.

To keep her figure for all the on-camera attention, Talackova is on the blood type diet. For her, a type A, that means a lot of white fish, boiled eggs, green vegetables, lemon water and 11 vitamins a day, including six omegas “for the skin and hair.”

She’s serious about her health. “I do a lot of Pilates and yoga. Especially yoga. I love yoga.”

Is Jenna Talackova a diva?

“A diva? Of course. Ask my agents. Oh my God, I fight with them all the time,” she says. “But I’m thankful I have a mom and friends that keep me real, keep me grounded.”

And luckily she’s not too particular about her men.

“I like a consistent guy. Of course I like a good-looking guy, but one who cares for his body. Cute with a sense of style. He doesn’t have to be extremely hot, just have style and be cute. And, you know, be obsessive over me.”

As for her holiday plans, they include skiing at Cypress and taking it easy. But what did she really want for Christmas?

“Well, I did see these cute Gucci shoes I wanted. They were hot pink. They were really cute,” she says.

A Bentley would also have done the trick “But a hybrid Bentley. Oh my God, I’m going to get that made. One day I’m going to have a hybrid Bentley.”

New Year’s plans are still uncertain, although Seattle is one party option. The kid who grew up in southeast Vancouver may have grown too big for her stilettos.

“Vancouver clubs are Vancouver clubs. I’d rather go to Korea and Taipei and Hong Kong and club there,” she says.

And New Year’s Day? “Maybe I’ll spend half the day with family, half the day with a guy.” She giggles. “So bad. Whatever, it’s OK, I’m single.”

We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, and please keep your comments relevant and respectful. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. We are using Facebook commenting. Visit our FAQ page for more information.

Almost Done!

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.